Read More

John Howells, CEO at LINK said: “Consumers are continuing to switch from cash to alternative payment methods, and ATM volumes are falling six per cent year-on-year.

“Given this backdrop, it’s critical we protect cash access for those who rely on it, and maintain a comprehensive network of ATMs that’s spread right across the UK.

“LINK will do whatever it takes to ensure people continue to have the free access to cash.”

In particular, LINK have made arrangements to protect free cash machines that are more than 1km away from the next nearest free-to-use ATM.

There are more than 2,000 of these in remote and rural areas, which the organisation has earmarked as protected. Despite this, 76 of these were closed between January and July

That being said, in general LINK argue that it is in the public interest to have a smaller network of ATMs, and in fact they say they would be comfortable losing more than half of the cash machines on some high streets.